Sacramento Zoo Receives the Stamp of Approval from the Association of Zoos and AquariumsZoo celebrates with half-priced child admission on June 4th and the Executive Director of AZA on June 5th.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: The Sacramento Zoo has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for another five years. To celebrate this great achievement, the Zoo will offer half-priced child admission on Tuesday, June 4th. AZA Executive Director Kris Vehrs will be at the Sacramento Zoo to celebrate Wednesday, June 5th.

WHERE: Sacramento Zoo, at the corner of Land Park Dr. and Sutterville Rd. in William Land Park.

WHAT’S GOING ON: The Sacramento Zoo’s accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has been renewed for another five years. The accomplishment will be celebrated with half-price admission for children with a paid adult admission on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 and a visit from Kris Vehrs, Executive Director of AZA.

In late January a team of three examiners from other AZA-accredited facilities inspected the Sacramento Zoo for an inspection; the Accreditation Commission convened in April at which time they renewed the Sacramento Zoo’s accreditation for another five years. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are constantly evolving and standards are continuously being raised. Each zoo or aquarium must keep up with these changes to remain accredited and repeat the entire accreditation evaluation process every five years. The Sacramento Zoo has been continuously accredited since 1975.

AZA accreditation provides a critical stamp of approval to an organization that sets it apart from the many other animal facilities available to the public. The USDA lists over 2,800 facilities as licensed animal exhibitors, but only 221 zoos and aquariums meet the rigorous standards necessary to be accredited by the AZA. Achieving this standard is a source of pride for both staff and the community.

At 14 acres, Sacramento Zoo represents the smaller zoos and is home to a diverse population of more than 500 animals. 67 of the species at Sacramento Zoo are at some level of risk of extinction; these animals serve as ambassadors from the wild and motivate visitors to take an active role in protecting our planet’s resources.

Relative to other AZA zoos, Sacramento Zoo plays a significant role in population management. With a staff of only 30 full-time keepers, the Zoo supports program leaders that manage 16 of the AZA’s cooperative breeding programs. These programs work to maintain healthy and sustainable captive populations, supporting the conservation of diverse species.

Accreditation also helps the Sacramento Zoo fulfill its mission to inspire appreciation, respect and a connection with wildlife and nature through education, recreation and conservation. Without support from the Sacramento community the Zoo would be unable to achieve and maintain such high standards.

Sacramento Zoo – Wildly Inspiring!

Open since 1927, the Sacramento Zoo is home to more than 500 native, rare and endangered animals and is one of over 200 accredited institutions of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Located near the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park, the Zoo is wholly managed by the non-profit Sacramento Zoological Society. This Sacramento treasure inspires conservation awareness through education and recreation. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, general admission is $11.25; children ages 2-11 are $7.25 and one and under are admitted free. Parking is free throughout the park or ride Regional Transit bus #6. For information, call 916-808-5888 or visit saczoo.org.